May 17, 2026 -- Proverbs 11:24 -- Are you a giver?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Proverbs 11:24 ESV
 
What are you expecting when you give to God? Do you expect that because you’ve given something God has an obligation to bless you? Funny isn’t it, how manipulative our thinking and giving can be? Believers give freely to God in their time, tithes, while offering their talents in service to others because of the extravagant blessings God has already poured out into their lives. Think of these blessings.

• Jesus has borne the wrath of God against our sin upon Himself, at the cross.

• The Spirit applies the forgiveness of Jesus as often as we confess our sins (and there are so many of them).

• The Father loves you as a son, a daughter. You are His and He is faithful to you, even when you’re faithless.

• The greatest riches of this life are not money, or things, it is knowing Jesus Christ. Through Jesus one knows the Father and lives in fellowship with the Father and the Son through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

• Life here is a fleeting, passing vapor; but those who live in the love of the Father now, know that eternity in His presence stretches before them.

• The promise is that in His presence there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

 
To withhold giving to the needy, or tithing to the church, or caring for the people whom God has placed in your sphere of influence is a sign of a heart that is shriveled. Only a heart untouched by the blessings of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit can withhold blessings. Those who know the Father are open-handed in their giving.
 
Father of Glory, Source of every good blessing, thank You for the gift of Sunday. Thank You for this day of rest where Your people gather to praise You; joined together by the Holy Spirit, cause us to delight in the richest blessings You secure to us in Christ. Spirit of God, in light of the extravagant blessings which are ours in Jesus, help us to be generous of heart, of wallet, and of time. Direct Your preachers, evangelists, and missionaries to preach the Word with power. May those among us who are regular church goers welcome the newcomers who You have called to Yourself in love through Your blessed Son, our Savior, Jesus. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/T6V_fc5a3nY?si=KzdIXsUjYWYDKlw_ Safely Through Another Week
 

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May 15, 2026 -- Proverbs 10:23 -- Is your life a joke?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,
but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
Proverbs 10:23 ESV
 
Here’s a quotation attributed to the 1980’s and 90’s pop star, Madonna: “Why did I want to break all the rules, because the rules didn’t make sense”. In her heyday, she was considered the cutting edge of radical. What makes me laugh now is that much of her music is “elevator music” or muzak—the background noise at malls and public places. I remember almost spitting out my morning coffee when I heard some of Madonna’s music played at the nursing home of  my 90’s something aunt. At that moment I realized, for all her planned wickedness and flaunting of rules, Madonna is a has-been. Long ago overtaken by successive waves of the next, and the new.
 
Wisdom, however, is never trendy, but is always a pleasure to one steeped in it. Those who are trained up in wisdom are not garish in their youth, nor laughed at as a has-been in their senior years. Those who walk in wisdom carry about them the freshness of life well-lived. Those who are filled with understanding have hope for life beyond this life. They lead others in the right path. For a man or woman of understanding, it becomes obvious to the observer that the public life and the private of that person is consistent. It is honourable.
 
Wisdom and understanding are not naturally part of the human heart. People are born with every sinful inclination and wayward impulse. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to break the ingrained bent toward evil and open a heart up to the reconciling work of Jesus. No one can white-knuckle his way to a new life. It wells up in the heart of a person who belongs to Jesus. It is like cool, refreshing water available to all who live in the desert wastelands of our culture.
 
O God our Father, thank You for the blessing of Your great love, shown to us through Jesus.
O God the Spirit, thank You for opening in my soul a well of living water, from which the rich fountain of Christ’s blessings flow and overflow in my life.
O God my Savior, thank You for the fullness of life, the joy and pleasures which accompany living for You. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/0nnkkra4FwY?si=rtC4pKYrdtqQMVDI Psalm 150 Praise the Lord
 

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May 14, 2026 -- Psalm 145:3-4 -- The Greatness of the LORD

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

3  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
4  One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts. Psalm 145:3–4
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025)
 
The Hebrew language is almost breaking down in its effort to express the magnificent power, glory, and praiseworthiness of God. That three-fold repetition of “great” highlights the grandeur of the LORD. The more one explores the greatness of God, the more one studies the Scriptures and the more one learns of the effulgence of our Creator-God so much more that person is driven to commend Him to the next generation.
 
What is your life’s goal? Money? Sex. Appearance? Cars? Friends? Toys? Gaming? Drinking? Hobbies? All of these can be Devil inspired distractions which would draw the attention of the believer away from contemplating God. The reason the LORD is not great to the mind of the pagan, or the lukewarm Christian, can be traced to the lack of time spent searching out the LORD’s greatness.
 
For this Psalmist his life has the one goal that his generation will entrust to the next generation a sense of the weight of Who God is. Life is focused on passing the baton to the next generation, so that each generation is saturated with exploring the goodness, the glories, the greatness of God. No other task is even close to the importance of that task.
 
Think of it. God regularly declares: I am the God of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob (cf: Exodus 3:6; 15-16; Luke 20:37; Acts 7:32 et al). The point is being made that patriarchs and matriarchs, for all their humanness and faults, had one life-long focus, to know God and make Him known.
The greatest evidence of the splendid, lovingkindness of our God is displayed at the cross of Jesus. His beloved Son, crushed in our place, so that our sins are atoned for. Jesus’ great glory is revealed at the cross, at His death, His burial, resurrection, and ascension to the Father’s right hand. He Who rescues us from death, also has the power to protect His people for life unto eternal life. What a mighty God we serve.
 
O LORD, You fulfill the desire of those who fear You;
and You hear our cries and You save Your people.
O Glorious LORD, You preserve all who love You,
and we confess with trembling the warning of Scripture:
all the wicked You will destroy.
Our mouths will speak the praise of the LORD,
let all flesh bless His holy Name forever. Amen
(Prayer based on Psalm 145:19-21)
 
https://youtu.be/r1vjP0fHrSY?si=kEhsuXWxmoSjZP6N Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
 

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May 13, 2026 -- John 10:27-30 -- Known by the Shepherd

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30 ESV
 
Dear readers, thank you for your patience. There has been a break in preparing these devotions. Over the last 12 days I have been in Ontario. My ailing father passed away May 10th. What follows is a brief portion of the meditation I offered yesterday, at his funeral.
 
Two things I’d like to highlight. First, that our Good Shepherd knows His sheep. He knows their weaknesses. He knows their every inclination to wander from Him. He knows their sinfulness. It is not natural for us, as people, to submit ourselves to the authority of others. We want to rule our own hearts and lives. The problem is, we don’t know enough of God, the world and the wiles of the Devil to be able to govern ourselves wisely. Even so, rebellious as the heart can be, Jesus intentionally shepherds those He knows. He graciously goes after the lost. Binds up their wounds. Rescues them from the mouths of predators. Defends them from all attacks. All the while knowing even as He is defending them, they are likely to run off, and He will have to rescue them again.
 
The second thing I’d like to highlight is that Jesus gives His sheep eternal life. This world is not all there is. God has planted in all of us a longing for life beyond this life. God has given to each one of us a sense there must be more. Those who know the voice of Jesus, are known by Him and follow Him already now have the gift of eternal life.
 
Eternal life, begun here and now, takes on its fullest, and most exciting form in the world to come. Our life here on earth must end, so that the body which has known sin, obeyed its rebellious impulses, will be laid to rest. When the person who has died is raised to life in the new heavens and the new earth that glorified body will have no possibility of sinning ever again. Life eternal is filled with joy because the soul of the believer is joined to the new, glorified body, and sin will never ever again be part of the equation of the relationship between the Shepherd and His beloved sheep.
 
O my great High Priest,
pour down on me streams of needful grace,
bless me in all my undertakings,
in every thought of my mind,
every word of my lips,
every step of my feet,
every deed of my hands.
Thou didst live to bless,
die to bless,
rise to bless,
ascend to bless,
take thy throne to bless,
and now thou dost reign to bless.
O give sincerity to my desires,
earnestness to my supplications,
fervour to my love. Amen.
excerpt from: “After Prayer”, Valley of Vision, page 277
 
https://youtu.be/pN4tPkX0MG0?si=ZQ7ffi7KOjV3F9NC The Lord’s My Shepherd
 

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May 1, 2026 -- Proverbs 10:11 -- What's your mouth spewing?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

11  The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Proverbs 10:11
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025).
 
Who are the righteous? They are men and women made righteous in Jesus Christ. They are righteous because the Holy Spirit guards within the believer the righteousness of Christ. The new life that is ours in Christ wells up in us—which is why it is described as a fountain. Believers think of Christ, love Him, meditate on Him, are in awe of all that the Father gives to them because they belong to Jesus. The more the believer thinks on such things, the more he can’t help but sing to Jesus, and speak to others of them of His greatness.
 
No matter what the wicked says, even in flattery or kind words, their words are violent. There is no middle ground. One is either a believer captivated by Jesus Christ, or else he is in the grip of hell and every word is hot with the breath of violence. There is no middle ground.
 
Recall the cautionary words of Jesus:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day
many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast
out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And
then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ Matthew 7:21-23 ESV
You can have the appearance of godliness, you can do things that seem mighty, all the while be gripped in the thrall of violence.
 
How is a true Christian distinguished? How do you know if you are truly Christ’s?

• Jesus fills your thoughts when you’re not thinking of anything at all.

• The word is precious to you, because it is the word of life that flows in you, welling up to that glorious fountain of eternal life.

• You pray. Not for things. You pray for more of Jesus. You pray for your friends and family to know Jesus. You pray, because it is communication with Jesus, Who is the source of all righteousness in you.

• You hunger and thirst for righteousness. You know, you have a wonderful, filling breakfast, but at lunch time you are hungry all over again. That is the experience of the Christian, the righteousness of Jesus satisfies the soul, then having imbibed, one is ready for more of Jesus.

 
Father in heaven, thank You for the love You shower on us and in us through the reconciling work of Jesus Christ. Faithful Savior, blessed are You and great is the water You give welling up to eternal life. Spirit of the Living God, keep me close to Jesus, I know I am prone to wander; I know my track record. Spirit of God, melt the stubborn streak, break down every lingering resistance, create in me a thirst for true righteousness found only in Christ and lead me to drink deeply of the well of salvation. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/DV-V4xZMQx0?si=upN9qIpxTZ5mgTld Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing


 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 28, 2026 -- Proverbs 10:8 -- Distinguishing the babbling fool from the wise of heart.

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

8  The wise of heart will receive commandments,
but a babbling fool will come to ruin. Proverbs 10:8
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025).
 
According to Scriptures, the heart is the spring of life (Proverbs 4:23); the place from which you make decisions. It is either governed by the Lord of Glory through the power of the Holy Spirit; or your heart is governed by the father of lies. There is no middle ground. The Bible is clear on this point—and it is quite offensive to many people. It is tempting to think someone has “a good heart”, when in fact a person can not have a good heart unless he is reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus Christ, and believes in Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. By Bible definition, an unconverted person’s heart is impure having set up in itself a throne of hell.
 
In the original language babbling fool is an idiom, an expression, which can be translated as: a prattling fool, or a chattering fool. When you see various translations like that, you know that the original language is rich in meaning that is hard to capture in just a word or two. The point is, a fool only likes to hear himself talk. He is like a babbling brook (Proverbs 18:4), which makes so much noise nothing can be heard over it.
 
The wise of heart are humble. Teachable. Ready to confess sin. Open to the commandments of God. Why open to the commandments of God? Because it is God who made us. It is God Who knows what will lead you to fullness of life, or what will lead you to death and hell. The commandments of God are given to believers, so that their obedience to the commands is an expression of life-long gratitude to God for His rich salvation in Christ.
 
Father in heaven, giver of wisdom and truth, I confess how much I babble and chatter, instead of being still, yielded to You, as God the Source of All Good. Spirit of the Living God, teach me quietness of heart, open my ears to hear the word of life. Open my heart, pouring into the place of decision-making, more and always more of the Word until my own foolishness is completely displaced by the weight of wisdom received. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/VphMpFKb0o0?si=zFMSCRBgh5HR_8ao There rings through the Clouds
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 26, 2026 -- Matthew 13:23 -- What's the condition of your heart?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
The Holy Bible: E S V (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Matthew 13:23.
 
You know, perhaps, that there are four kinds of soil in Jesus’ parable. Hard path, where ravenous birds take away the seed, the Word of Truth. Rocky soil and thorny soils, where persecution or the cares of this world kill the sprouted seedling. But what happens when the seed, the Word of Truth, hits good soil?
 

• The Word of Truth is so pure, it is barely recognizable to you at first; but soon becomes precious, desired.

• The Word of Truth is so new to you, it is hard to understand how it could truly, powerfully bless. But as you ear, as you see, as you open your heart, you find yourself drawn to it.

• The Word of Truth is so foreign, it requires dying to oneself. It is utterly, fully different from all the offerings of the world, all those things that you sampled, tried, and now bind you.

• The Word of Truth is freely offered today and widely sown on your heart. Will you receive it from the Hand of Him Who loves you? He demonstrated His love when He left the splendor of heaven to give you such freedom from slavery to sin, greater grace that you can open your heart, finally are able to open your eyes, as you open your ears and the new life in you is found to be infinitely greater than the confines and chains of worldly pleasures.

• The Word of Truth is so powerful that it will produce good fruit in you. You will find your capacity to love the Sower increases exponentially. Those around you will see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control Through your testimony others will believe in Jesus. As the seed grows and bears, you will be able to discern how truly wicked and unclean this generation really is.

• The Word of Truth will captivate your soul, thrill your mind, lead you to hunger and thirst for righteousness and so be filled; you will hunger and thirst with greater maturity and longing, and still be filled. The cycle will continue and the thirtyfold blessings become sixtyfold blessings and ever increase.

 
Father in heaven, great and glorious is Your Name. Thank You for the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, through Whom we are reconciled to You. Thank You for the work of the Holy Spirit, Who plows up the hardened soil of our hearts. We confess the times we’ve shut our ears, closed our eyes and refused to understand the Word of Truth. Thank You for the persistence of Your love, the greatness of Your salvation, and the tenacity of the seed’s power to grow in us. Thank You for giving us what many prophets and righteous people in the many centuries before Jesus, longed to see and desired to hear. Thank You for this new life in Christ. Oh, Spirit of the Living God, let the seed, Jesus’ Word of Truth, be fruitful in us, and this to the greater glory of God our Father. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/YnBCuv7hfHA?si=cXIDH2OOaDqybl-P Speak, O Lord
 

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April 25, 2026 -- Proverbs 10:2 -- What do you treasure?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 10:2
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025).
 
If you have stolen something, how can you enjoy it? You’re always looking over your shoulder to see if anyone notices what you have isn’t really yours. If it isn’t really yours, your conscience will bother you. If your conscience keeps annoying you, like that irritating sound attacking your eardrums when you haven’t buckled your seatbelt, you’ll either have to put your conscience to death or confess and deal with your wickedness. If you keep that thing, or money gained by wickedness it will lead you to so idolize it that God will be pushed out of your life, replaced by your love of ill-gotten gain.
 
The righteousness which is in view is practical. Do you know the story of Zaccheus? He was a crooked tax-collector and freely stole from his fellow citizens, taxing excessive amounts of money. When Jesus took hold of his heart, he vowed to repay, four times what he’d taken, and to give half of his money to the poor (see Luke 19:1-10). Zaccheus’ former, deeply held love of money is pushed out of his life; he now has a kingdom focus, rejoicing in the treasure of Jesus.
 
Listen to what the LORD declares as true treasure:
The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high;
he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness,
and he will be the stability of your times,
abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge,
the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure. Isaiah 33:5-6 ESV
What is the treasure of the believer? It is salvation, given through the reconciling blood of Jesus Christ, poured out on the believer, through the work of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit reorients the life of the believer so that justice, righteousness, abundance of salvation, wisdom and knowledge, all governed by the fear of the LORD, are the richest treasures stored up in the believer—treasures that rust, moth and thieves cannot steal. What is your treasure?
 
Father in heaven, I confess I have often considered money, possessions, things, as the greatest treasures of this life. Your Spirit opened my eyes to the truth that the greatest treasure ever is Jesus Himself. As the Spirit keeps me connected to Jesus, the life of justice, righteousness, wisdom, knowledge flow from me, all unified by the holy, precious, fear of the LORD. I confess how I have greedily neglected such beauty and riches for earthly treasures and pleasures that can not last nor ever satisfy. Teach me the glorious profit that is found in Jesus and His righteousness. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/LOuw3rLY7Zg?si=4q3VhJM6t65yRcP6 Blessed Assurance
 

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April 24, 2026 -- Proverbs 10:1 -- Where you headed?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

10 The proverbs of Solomon.
A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. Proverbs 10:1
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025).
 
Suddenly, starting here at chapter 10, the style of writing changes. Instead of longer sections of teaching, there are quick, one verse proverbs. Commentators and theologians point out that these proverbs are not laws, nor are they promises. Proverbs are general principles. These proverbs give insight into the contrasts between those who are followers of God over against those in bondage to the evil one.
 
Such a series of proverbs serve as a warning which will encourage the disciple of Jesus to lean on the power of the Holy Spirit. In the New Testament, passages like Hebrews 2:1 warn the Christian not to drift from what they’ve heard. Every day there are temptations to make small compromises, take little shortcuts, neglect whole-hearted devotion to the Living God. In no time at all, such little-seeming accommodations to evil will land you in the realm of foolishness.
 
As a minister who visits in prisons, it is frequently the case that a man will sigh, and with a heavy heart say, “I wish my dad would say he is proud of me”. The now incarcerated man has learned obedience through what he has suffered and is attending classes to learn the fear of the LORD. Even so, it is often the case that his reputation is so fixed, his father despairs of any change and a mother grieve as one with no hope. His former, feeble attempts at change have all fallen to the ground. It is at that point I meet men who sincerely long to change.
 
By the grace of God, it is possible to make a lasting change, to go from foolishness to wisdom. It is possible to be rescued from the kingdom of darkness and be brought by the compassion of the Father into the Kingdom of the Son He loves. If you have been foolish, today is the day to repent. If you have been a sorrow to your godly mother, now is day to choose to change course. Do so before your character is so fixed and your pathway to destruction hard-wired into your brain. God is the One Who rescues fools and makes them wise. God is the One overturns the wisdom of the world and calls those who seem irreparably damaged so that they will in Christ become dearly loved sons and daughters, who gladden their Heavenly Father’s heart.
 
Sanctify me in every relation, office, transaction and condition of life,
that if I prosper I may not be unduly exalted,
if I suffer I may not be over-sorrowful.
Balance my mind in all varying circumstances
and help me to cultivate a disposition
that renders every duty a spiritual privilege.
Thus may I be content,
be a glory to Thee
and an example to others.
from TO BE FIT FOR GOD. The Valley of Vision, page 254
 
https://youtu.be/DV-V4xZMQx0?si=5yq_YY-AjW4LlpSk Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
 

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April 22, 2026 -- Proverbs 9:13-18 -- Is your life producing fruits of folly or wisdom?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

13  The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
14  She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15  calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16  “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17  “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18  But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. Proverbs 9:13–18.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025).
 
In Proverbs there are two paths, wisdom and folly. At various times, each one is depicted as a woman. Wisdom is industrious, gracious, and the guardian of one’s life. Folly is the natural state of every person. “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child” (Proverbs 22:15a). No one is born wise. No one is born doing the right things. As I’ve often said to my new-to-the-faith students, “I never had to teach my children to lie or disobey me”. Guessing no one had to train you in sin either?! Yep. Thought so. In fact, “the rod of discipline drives it [folly] far from him” (Proverbs 22:15b). Only the warnings of the Bible matched with the discipline of the LORD will drive sinful, folly from our souls and minds and actions.
 
Parents, adults, dear family in Christ, how are you living? How are you spending your time? What are you spending your money on? Are you faithful in church attendance? Are you diligent in reading the Word? Your children, your fellow congregants, your brothers and sisters in Christ, co-workers all are watching you. Where you go, what you do, proves if you are following your own desires and so going down to Folly’s house, seduced by your selfish desires and wants. Or, if you know how to govern yourself, to walk in wisdom and die to your old desires, your old patterns, and walk in the way of wisdom. She says, “all who hate me love death” (Proverbs 8:36b). It isn’t your words, but it is your actions which prove your ultimate loyalty.
 
Wisdom and Folly are played out in your everyday decisions. Will you spend time reading the word of God? Will you pray to God, through-out the day, knowing He is your glorious Father. Will you bless God for taking you from the realms of death and self-destruction and bringing you safe into the Kingdom of Son He loves? Will you, in the strength of the Holy Spirit stand up against the herds of people who, lacking sense, rush to fulfil every foolish desire, with no reference to how it is destroying their soul and preparing for them a place among the dead (that is what “Sheol” means).
 
God our Father is training us to say “no” to sin and embrace the path of life. What we do impacts everyone around us. Secret, foolish thoughts in the heart, lead to open acts of folly. If your thoughts are already so in the grip of foolishness your acts and words will be steeped in foolishness. If, however, you are storing up wisdom deep in your heart, your words and actions will be wise. Your every act of wisdom will bear fruit, leading to greater acts of wisdom.
Father in heaven, through Jesus Christ, You have made us Your beloved sons and daughters. By the glorious power of Your Spirit, continually pour into us a holy desire to know You better, to ravenously read the Word, to speak with You in formal times of prayer as well as informally through-out the day continue that conversation of devoted love. By our words, thoughts, and deeds, confirm to our own souls the fact we are Yours. Make us quick to recognize any indwelling sinful impulses and to root them out. Let our lives shine for Jesus, so that many around us will be drawn to You. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/yxCb6l3jkis?si=Jed9M2T5QFPV1o2L I Am Not My Own
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 20, 2026 -- Matthew 12:43-45 -- Is your house swept and clean? Who is taking up residence?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
Matthew 12:43-45 ESV
 
Though a man may be cleansed of an unclean spirit, if he is not immediately filled with the Spirit of God, will he be open and vulnerable to all kinds of grosser uncleanness. It is important to note that the original language calls the spirits ‘unclean’.
 
Here are marks, evidences, that people are hosting an unclean spirit, or spirits.

• They are morally unclean. They are spiritually unclean. It is not necessarily what would immediately spring to mind when you think of demons. They are utterly blind to their own wickedness. As such, it is spiritually discerned.

• The uncleanness of the spirits infests a person in such a way that they are unacceptable to God, though the world may find such a person good company and a fine person. The point is there is no moral, nor spiritual neutrality. One is for God or against Him.

• The uncleanness of the spirit will always draw darker forces and greater uncleanness to itself. Many of us, who wrestle with addictions, know this to be true. An addict may be clean for a day, a month, a year, but if the infinite power of Jesus does not guard his heart against repossession, the fall back into addiction will be deeper, darker and deadlier.

• Uncleanness can become standards of acceptable behavior in our society. Think of the various kinds of uncleanness that hardly raises an eyebrow in our world today: gay marriage (which is not marriage at all). Abortion. Medical Assistance in Dying. Governmental corruption (which I have heard excused by statements like “well, at least it is not as bad as the corruption is in Nigeria”). The uncleanness of our world is so pervasive, so common, so accepted, that one requires the discernment of the Holy Spirit to truly detect it and hate it.

 
However, when one is indwelt by the power of the Holy Spirit, the infinite power of God guards him against the raging forces of the enemy. Evidence of such mighty power within you: a desire to read the Bible, joy in spending time with fellow Christians, evident growth in one’s walk with God—for example, the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) are becoming increasingly part of one’s life. A holy desire for more of God is evidence of Jesus’ mighty power taking hold of you. If you are lacking such signs of Jesus’ power: ask me. Ask a Christian you know, about walking with God.
 
Spirit of love, make me like the loving Jesus;
give me his benevolent temper,
his beneficent actions,
that I may shine before men to thy glory.
The more thou doest in love in me and by me,
humble me the more;
keep me meek, lowly,
and always ready to give thee honour.
(Quoted from CHRISTIAN LOVE, Valley of Vision. page 250
 
https://youtu.be/-5ngePLRMP4?si=pKFa5e_fHPYFCmSD More Love to Thee

 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 17, 2026 -- Proverbs 9:10 -- Delighting in the fear of the LORD

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. Proverbs 9:10 ESV
 
The fear of the LORD is a key description of one who is submitted to God. Jesus was filled with the Spirit (John 3:34). The Holy Spirit is described in Revelation as the seven-fold Spirit (Revelation 1:4). Elsewhere in Scripture, one learns the seven-fold nature of the Spirit. The Spirit is: the Spirit of the LORD, of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD (Isaiah 11:2). It is added, in the next verse, that the one so filled with the Holy Spirit “shall delight in the fear of the LORD” (Isaiah 11:3a).
 
The fear of the LORD is pleasurable for the Christian. As Jesus walked this earth, without a fear of what people would do to Him, so the person submitted to God, will walk in obedience to Jesus, without fear of what people can do against him. Jesus even described His obedience to the Father as His food (John 4:34). Jesus delighted in the fear of the LORD, it is what sustained Him through-out His life.
 
The fear of the LORD is the foundation for a healthy Christian walk. If you are serving Jesus, but always afraid of what others will think about you, or how they will act against you, you are in fact serving your desire to be popular, rather than humbly serving Jesus. You can’t serve God wholeheartedly if you are afraid of what others will think. The people around you will eventually extinguish your service to God.
 
Jesus addressed this fear of man in the Parable of the Sower (it is one that you can find in Matthew, Mark and Luke). When the seed falls on rocky soil it springs up quickly, joyfully receiving the word at first. Jesus goes on to explain “they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the world, immediately they fall away” (Mark 4:17).
 
What are you afraid of? That fear will govern your life. If you are afraid of poverty, you’ll be money hungry; insatiably wanting more of it. If you are afraid of death, you’ll become a hypervigilant health nut. If you are afraid of the mocking of others, you’ll be ruled by their opinion of you. Those who walk in the fear of the LORD find they have great gain. God gives new life in Christ. God blesses such men and women with the powerful, indwelling Holy Spirit. God’s purposes for the life of His son or daughter are the reliable guide for every day and are infinitely more delightful than anything the world offers.
 
Father in heaven, great is Your Name, and glorious the salvation and new life You give to Your children in Christ. As is promised in the word, by Your Spirit, help us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, knowing it is You Who works in us. Let Your good pleasure govern our days and so fill our nights that we will walk in the delight of the fear of the LORD. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/CyHbdqB8kto?si=N4hKTRiLKNwLei0i I Surrender All
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 15, 2026 -- Proverbs 9:7-9 -- Who is the teachable person in your life?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Proverbs 9:7-9 ESV
 
Perhaps you know Psalm 1? The man who is blessed by the LORD and is happy in serving Him, does not sit in company with scoffers. A scoffer jeers at wisdom. A scoffer is ten times wiser in his own eyes than any other man. A scoffer has a ready answer for anything…but his replies are self-important nonsense. What the proverbs are teaching here is that a person who is wise in Jesus, filled with the Spirit must know who is listening. If a believer is speaking to a scoffer, to a wicked person who is holding tightly to evil, there is no point in trying to offer correction. A scoffer will mock. A wicked person will retaliate and try to extinguish the light of Christ.
 
However, you will find that there are people in your life who have been softened by the Holy Spirit. There are scoffers who are suddenly softer, less inclined to reject what you say. There are wicked men who have been halted in their violence and are suddenly teachable. The man of wisdom, and the woman who is wise unto the LORD will take the opportunity to teach that person while he is open, willing to hear.
 
Not that long ago I met a man who was terribly angry. But when I taught the bible lesson, he paid attention. After class he found he couldn’t help but ask questions. This went on for several lessons. He opted to be in the bible class. He decided to listen, though his spirit still raged. Thanks be to God, one week ago he submitted himself to God. The change is so dramatic. He is happy. He is reading his Bible at a wonderful clip. He is at peace. He can receive love from God. He is increasing in learning.
 
The man or woman who is in the grip of grace is deeply loved by the Father, and the Son. From out of this rich resource of love, guarded deep in the soul, mind and heart, the believer overflows with love for those all around. The presence of God is in you is compelling to sinners softened by the Holy Spirit. But the powerful presence of God will also draw detractors, scoffers, people who want to be justified in their own eyes. Be discerning. In short order you’ll know who is unreachable, distinguishing this person from that other person who is humble and teachable.
 
There are folks in the pews near you who are not Christians. They need you to be ready to give instruction in righteousness, doing so with patience and kindness. There are people at work, or school, or in your community group, who need to be instructed in ways of Jesus. There are youth, caught in the chaos of today’s culture, who are looking for the anchor of Christ’s love that would ground them in the Father’s love. Are you prepared to teach, to endure some strong push-back, but to persist anyways, knowing there is a glowing ember set on fire from the altar of God?
 
Father in heaven, Your word teaches that the one who wins souls is wise. As you have captured my soul and heart by the reconciling work of Jesus, so I pray for the people You have put in my life. Let me be a soul-winner for Jesus. Spirit of God, show me the person, or people, you have placed in my life who are ready to be instructed in righteousness. Spirit of the Living God, for those who are new, infants in the faith, give me a loving, patient, holy desire to keep instructing such people until they too are soul-winners for Jesus. Thank You, Glorious God of Salvation, that You work in and through ordinary men and women, to spread the Good News of Jesus. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/FcD9uhRC3Ew?si=FW6hftkh6mg9InhA Go Light Your World
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 13, 2026 -- Proverbs 9:2-6 -- Invited to the Happy House of Wisdom

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

2  She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3  She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
4  “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
5  “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6  Leave your simple ways, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.” Proverbs 9:2–6
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025).
 
A few days ago, we considered wisdom’s house; like creation which has wisdom in every part, so the home of the godly person has wisdom built into its foundation and is part of every room. The home of the wise is a place of appropriate feasting—which in the Bible anticipates the marriage feast of Jesus and His people (Revelation19).
 
The home of wisdom is proportionate. All that is done is carried out with a view to the goodness of God, the provision of God, the joy one finds in God. The house of wisdom is a place of teaching, where the simple, the wayward, those inclined to sin, are educated in righteousness, their feet are restrained from the pathways of scoffers, and the desires of sin are vanquished as the joy of the LORD fills their senses.
 
Beloved in the LORD, the world is constantly training your desires, your senses and your delights. The world is under the rule of the prince of this age, the devil. The house of wisdom shows you the better way. The house of wisdom teaches you that all who fail to find wisdom injure themselves and all who hate wisdom love death (Proverbs 8:36).
 
What is the banqueting table of your life? Are you living giving to God the leftovers of your life, while you pursue selfish desires? Or has wisdom’s invitation captured your heart so that all you desire is wisdom, which is whole-hearted devotion to Jesus, in the joy of the Holy Spirit, with a vision of the future that is anchored in the glories yet in store for you as the Father pours out His blessing on you?
 
Glorious Father in heaven, in Your presence are blessings forever more! By Your precious gift of wisdom, applied by Your Spirit to my mind, my desires, and my heart, pry my fingers from their death-grip to all that is simple, wayward and sinful. Give to me a holy hunger for the marriage feast of wisdom, the extravagant blessings of union with Jesus, so that my service to You, O God of Splendor, is not forced, reluctant, or parsimonious. In view of Your blazing beauty, O God my Father, captivated by the reconciling love of Jesus, command Your Spirit to bind my ever-prone-to-wandering soul to Jesus. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/DV-V4xZMQx0?si=n6dsaRkUy1IxJct4 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 12, 2026 -- Matthew 12:22-24 -- Jesus, the Compassionate, Healer King

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” Matthew 12:22–24
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025).
 
Just a few verses prior to this reading, Matthew quoted from Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-3). He used this quotation to explain Who Jesus is and to explain why Jesus told the crowds not to tell others who He is. A quick review might help. Jesus is the chosen one of God, sent to be the suffering servant. Jesus is the suffering servant Who is Spirit-filled and therefore has been anointed and equipped to do the work the Father has given. He is loved by the Father, because He lays down His life for the sheep—that is for sinful, confused and wayward people, such as we are (John 10:17). Finally, Jesus proclaims justice (Matthew 12:18, 21) which is the work of a King. The king who rules in justice both knows the laws of God and applies those laws. The king who rules in justice extends the territory of God with the goal that one day the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea. He is the king who rules both with justice and compassion. He will not break a bruised reed, nor will He snuff out a smoldering wick. The smallest sign of life He will treasure and defend.
 
The narrative before us, starting in verse 22, proves that some people “get it”. They understand the role of Jesus as king. When a blind and mute man, a man under the power of the enemy of God, was presented to Jesus, Jesus defeated the enemy. The people asked, “Can this be the Son of David?” It is a clear reference to His status as a worthy descendant of David. A royal son. A man who by His defense of the people is upholding the law of God. A just king, who exercises compassion on the weakest of men. The Pharisees prove they are more blind then was the formerly blind and mute and demon-oppressed man before he was healed by Jesus.
 
Jesus offers several words of explanation, using the sign as the basis of instructing the people present Who He really is. First off, notice how compassionate He is. There are crowds who have witnessed the sign. There are Pharisees who have maliciously misinterpreted the sign. There are those who loved the demon-oppressed blind and mute man, loving him enough to have brought him to Jesus. And there, in front of Jesus, is a man who can now see and speak. He is suddenly in the spotlight and his rescuer, Jesus, is being called a man in league with demons. All the controversy surrounds his healing. What will Jesus do? How will this man be protected from the onslaught of careless words and speculations?
 
What a glorious Savior Jesus is. Rescuer of the weak, merciful to the barely alive, smoldering wick, but valuable in the eyes of God. What a glorious picture of the community of Jesus, compassionate friends bring the demon-oppressed, blind and mute man to Jesus for healing. They know Jesus is the only source of salvation and healing. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
 
Father in heaven, thank You for the rescue You appointed for Your people through Jesus Christ. Thank You Jesus, King of Glory, master in mercy, for the healing You bring through Your reconciling work at the cross. Spirit of the Living God, prompt us to bring wounded and weary souls to Jesus, where they find rest. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/BppKOFLig2w?si=gHEH0Xs1LpJivODZ Only There
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 10, 2026 -- Proverbs 9:1 -- The House of Wisdom

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
Proverbs 9:1 ESV
 
The writer is returning to a common theme: the house of wisdom versus the den of folly. While wisdom builds a house inviting men to grow in wisdom, folly sits at the door of her house seeking to seduce men. Was folly’s den the house of her lover? Does it belong to her husband who is away while she invites others to illicit sexual activity? Or is it the den bought with the gains of her sexual trade?
 
Wisdom’s home is built; just as wisdom was involved in the building of creation, so the home of the believer has wisdom as the foundation, the supporting beams, and filling every room. A home built by wisdom will be one that follows the righteous rules of God. A home built by wisdom will shine in beauty. A home built by wisdom will reflect the glory of God the Father, Who built creation as a meeting place between Himself and His people. In the same way, the home of wisdom is built as a meeting place for God and His people.
 
Seven pillars denote perfection. Wisdom’s house is stable. Wisdom’s house is beautiful. Seven is the number of fullness. Whereas there are seven abominations associated with the foolish person who acts against God (you can read about these in Proverbs 6:16-19); wisdom’s house has seven pillars. There is stability in the house of wisdom. Honour. Interestingly, the Holy Spirit is the sevenfold Spirit (Revelation 1:4 and Isaiah 11:2-3a). Can it be that the implication is that the home of wisdom is the place where the Holy Spirit lives among the people? You bet it is.
 
Why do you think Proverbs has such an emphasis and offers such a steady drumbeat of warnings making the contrast between the woman wisdom and the wily prostitute folly? Life can never be neutral. One is always either rushing towards folly and death (he who fails to find wisdom injures himself and all who hate wisdom love death Proverbs 8:36). Or one is embracing wisdom and being refreshed from the battles of the world and the attendant injuries.
 
Wicked, sinful, ordinary men are drawn to the den of folly like moths to a flame. Again and again they fly back to it, injuring themselves, singeing their wings until finally they are consumed by their lusts. The only way wisdom will ever be attractive to a sinful man is for the very nature of that man to change. Those who are in Christ are a new creation, the old has passed away, the new has come (II Corinthians 5:17). The old nature and patterns of sin can easily reemerge; so that wise are open to constant correction. Open to being renewed in wisdom. Resting and getting refreshed in the Word of God is vital to expose the subtleties of folly and equip the believer to fully resist it as vile. Wisdom invites you.
 
Father in heaven, thank You that You have built wisdom into creation. Thank You that all who believe in Jesus, are a new creation and have a new mind with holy aspirations and desires. Spirit of the Living God, past associations and former patterns still exert such a strong pull of temptation, help us to resist these as You fill our eyes with the beauty of wisdom, and fill our minds with the delights of wholeness which is expressed in a life of holiness given in through the imputed righteousness of Jesus. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/n9N-bGVtKDc?si=EyC4U746Cle0kb57 To the Table
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 9, 2026 -- Proverbs 8:34 -- The Benefits of Godly Wisdom

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

34  Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors. Proverbs 8:34
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025).
 
Right at the start of today’s text, the very first word blessed could be translated with the phrase happy and blessed or blessed with joy. Who is this felicitous person? It is the man, the woman, the obedient child who is listening to wisdom. Wisdom is its own reward. Wisdom, as explained in Proverbs 8:22-31 is built right into the creation. From the very decision of the LORD to create, through-out the creative process, until God had placed Adam and Eve into the Garden of Eden, all His creative work is filled with wisdom. The believer who listens to the Word of God, who observes creation order, and knows Jesus, the crowning glory of creation, will find wisdom.
 
Who are the believers blessed with joy? They are the ones who are wide awake and watching at the gates and watching at the entrances. Interestingly, Jesus calls Himself the gate and the entrance to the sheepfold (John 10:7). If you want to find wisdom, if you want to have true understanding of the world and what is going on, believe in Jesus.
 
There are two kingdoms constantly at war. One is the kingdom of the devil, which is doomed to defeat, who is a roaring and wounded lion. At the cross of Jesus, the kingdom of the devil was dealt a deathblow. The final clean-up is happening now. A wounded lion is a vicious, nasty, got-nothing-to-lose attacking lion. No wonder he seems so strong. However, the gate and the door is open to the protection one finds in the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ: Jesus.
 
The other kingdom is the Kingdom of Jesus. It is secure. It was founded at the beginning of all things. It is designed to withstand the onslaught of the devil. It is the protection of the wounded and weary believer who has been mauled in the past. The Kingdom of Jesus is where those who hear and obey, those who constantly watch for Jesus, attentive to His next instruction, find healing, hope and happiness. Yes, the war is raging on, but be encouraged dear believer, the end is near and the banner of Christ’s victory has already been planted at the top of the cross: This is Jesus, the King of the Jews. If you know your Bible, you know that He will reign until He brings justice to victory and the Gentiles hope in Him (Isaiah 42:3; Matthew 12:20-21). Gentiles are non-Jewish people, who in Christ Jesus, have entered His victorious kingdom and delight in His wise reign.
 
Glorious Father, great is Your wisdom, majestic are You in all Your ways. We praise You for wisdom by which You formed creation, and through Whom You made Adam and Eve. Jesus, You are wisdom incarnate, in You believers revel in joyful blessedness. Spirit of the Living God, enable us to lean ever more deeply into the promise of this text, to live in the blessedness and joy which attends all those who follow Jesus. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/-Vk93FTi-0E?si=eDfUSbeCpDho6CTw (Music starts at 1:17) Jesus shall reign
 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 7, 2026 -- Luke 6:46-49 -- Facing the next, inevitable, storm

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Luke 6:46–49.
 
"Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes.” Count of Monte Cristo, 2002 Version. Storms will come. They are inevitable. With them come the devastating flood waters. When Jesus used the word for “stream” to describe to water that smashes against the house, He used an interesting Middle Eastern term. He used the word for a stream bed that is often dry, though sometimes it holds a trickle of water, and other times torrents of water flow and overflow it, raging along its course supplied from a far source.
 
It is simple enough to say, “Lord, lord” to Jesus when you’re walking in the sunlight, but what happens when that storm of life breaks? Have you built your life on Him? Have you got a firm foundation in His word? Has the Spirit of God bolted you to the rock of your salvation so that no storm will move you and no shattering waves will devastate all you've built?
 
If you are struggling, seeing great wreckage in your life, then praise God for today! The storm exposed your need to rebuild. The ruin separated you from all your unstable friends, feelings, false hopes, foolish dreams. Now throw yourself on Jesus. You know it. There will be more storms. There will be other torrents. Cry out to Jesus. Confess all your false confidence and all the other things you’d been trusting: your brain, your brawn, your boredom, your body, your bank account (or whatever else you’ve relied on instead of Jesus). Now change your building strategy. Decide to fully trust in Jesus, thanking God the Father that He left you alive after the last great storm exposed your complete and utter need of Him. Let the Spirit of God into every part of your life so that what you build from now on will withstand any storm. Bless God for His grace in leading you to people who, like you, are putting their confidence in Jesus. The next storm is nearer than you think. Are you ready?
 
O God, our Father, thank You for the storm which showed me exactly how much I urgently, desperately, and utterly need You. As I stand in the wreckage of my false hopes and crushed plans and self-promoting dreams, I bless You that today is a new day, a new opportunity to praise You and walk with You in newness of life. Spirit of God, let the words of the Bible fill me with holy hope, a renewed sense of the gravity of my situation which now is strenuously calling out to me: “Anchor yourself to Jesus.” Thank You Triune God, for the warning of Your Word, for this day, for this fresh start, for this renewed commitment to You. In whatever area I begin to rebuild something false, selfish, wayward, or foolish, tear it down. Whenever the next storm strikes, let the glorious stability of this new life prove You are the only trustworthy foundation for my soul. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/MgpaULjZOl8?si=YLLGV6e_yERZGlg1 Praise You in this Storm

 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 5, 2026 -- I Corinthians 15:55b-57 -- Jesus' Glorious Resurrection

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Heidelberg Catechism
LORD’S DAY 17
45 Q. How does Christ’s resurrection benefit us?
 A. First, by his resurrection he has overcome death,
   so that he might make us share in the righteousness
   he obtained for us by his death.1
  Second, by his power we too
   are already raised to a new life.2
  Third, Christ’s resurrection
   is a sure pledge to us of our blessed resurrection.3
1 Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:16-20; 1 Pet. 1:3-5
2 Rom. 6:5-11; Eph. 2:4-6; Col. 3:1-4
3 Rom. 8:11; 1 Cor. 15:12-23; Phil. 3:20-21
 
By Jesus’ resurrection we are assured He has overcome death. The beautiful blessing that flows to us is this: all who are in Christ have the assurance death is not the end. Look at how Paul explained it to the Corinthians. If you only are a Christian in this life and after death there is nothing, then you are pitiful. Then you might well eject this faith because it is worthless, because you are still drowning in your sins (paraphrase of I Corinthians 15:17). Jesus’ resurrection some two thousand years ago continues to inspire believers, make hymn-writers eloquent, cause wordsmiths to weave stirring sentences to the glory of our God. Why? Jesus’ resurrection is the guarantee that death does not win.
 
For the Christian, death never wins. Believers have His righteousness now; that is, all our sins, the reason God has cursed us, have been removed. In Jesus’ death God poured out His perfect anger and punishment against our sins on Jesus His Son. God crushed Jesus so that we would never have to be crushed for our sins. Jesus died and we are assured the full penalty of our sins has been paid. Jesus rose and we know His righteousness is ours. There is no double-jeopardy. It can never be that God punished our sins in Christ, and then decides, wait, I’m still angry, I’m going to put you to death as well! No way. Jesus’ righteousness is ours right now. That is why Paul can so poetically write: “O death where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 15:55b-57).
 
Father in heaven, thank You for the unstoppable love You demonstrated in Jesus Christ. Dearest Jesus, thank You for Your reconciling blood, shed at Calvary, so that our Father’s wrath against our sin has been poured out on You and in exchange we have Your righteousness applied to us. Spirit of the Living God, thank You for the resurrection power with which you fill our lives so that everything has changed and we are beloved sons and daughters of God. Triune God, help us to walk in the glorious victory of Jesus’ resurrection. Honour and glory, blessing and dominion belong to You, Glorious God of Power, forever and ever. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/7w_K9vTIGHY?si=XICrtRYpvk4hLiYd There is a Redeemer

 

Copyright © 2026 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 3, 2026 -- Matthew 27:50 -- Why Did Jesus Die?

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
Matthew 27:50 ESV
 
The question must be asked, why did Jesus die? He had not sinned in any way. Hebrews teaches “He learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9 ESV). It is one thing to be obedient to God when everything is going well with you and life is easy; it is another thing entirely to be obedient when you suffer, when you are hounded and hated, serving faithfully though hard pressed on every side. Jesus though hounded and hated, served faithfully in every moment of His life and was confirmed as sinless.
 
All the way back at the start of the Bible, in Genesis, God told Adam and Eve if they ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge and evil, they would die (Genesis 2:17). It is an emphatic statement; you shall surely die. When Adam and Eve ate of that fruit they violated the clear command of God, the boundary He’d set up which was supposed to confirm their life-long obedience. Had they had been confirmed in obedience He would grant them everlasting life. They failed. They rejected God. They had the blessedness of knowing God, walking with Him, living in Eden, and they chose death.
 
The magnitude of the sin is hard for us to comprehend. We are so mired in sin. So used to the stench of it. So used to dire consequences of it. Swimming in the cesspool of our sins we can hardly begin to know what purity is. The concept of holiness is elusive, no, it is completely foreign to us. God is just, He completely right, in demanding the complete obedience of the people He’d just created. But the mercy of God, oh, that great and incredible mercy, that He cursed Adam and Eve with death, but delayed the sentence of death, giving to Adam and Eve, and all their descendants life, children, abundance.
 
The sentence of death, the stipulated punishment for humanity’s sin, was fully measured out upon the Person of Jesus Christ. His death appeased the wrath of God. His death is the full and final answer to God’s demand of death for the sinner. His death had been pictured, foretold in all the sacrificed animals of the Old Testament. By the sacrifice of Jesus, His death, we are reconciled to God. Every Old Testament figure who believed in the promise of God offered in Jesus through sacrifice, from Adam and Eve to those in Jesus’ day who died before the death of Jesus, were reconciled to God in Christ. All who believe in Jesus Christ, are reconciled to God through the blood of Jesus, His Son. No wonder this day, when we remember the death of Jesus, is so awe-inspiringly amazing, so humbling, and draws from our lips such gratitude. What is the sign that you truly believe Jesus is the reconciling sacrifice? It is faith that bears the fruit of obedience to Jesus, and this fueled by the power of the in-dwelling Spirit.
 
https://youtu.be/aoMhT5zBkdE?si=vVMEhDcE0MQsyI5n Redeemer
 
 
O FOUNTAIN OF ALL GOOD,
Destroy in me every lofty thought,
break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds,
annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,
implant in me true lowliness of spirit,
abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,
open in me a fount of penitential tears,
break me, then bind me up;
thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;
then can the Father take up his abode in me,
then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in his touch,
then can the Holy Spirit descended in sanctifying grace;
O Holy Trinity, three Persons and one God,
inhabit me, a temple consecrated to thy glory.
When thou art present, evil cannot abide;
in thy fellowship is fullness of joy,
beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,
by thy side no fears disturb,
no apprehensions banish rest of mind,
with thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
make me meet, through repentance,
for thine indwelling.
Nothing exceeds thy power,
nothing is too great for thee to do,
nothing is too good for thee to give.
Infinite thy grace, glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for
sinners repenting,
prodigals restored,
backsliders reclaimed,
Satan’s captives released,
blind eyes opened,
broken hearts bound up,
the despondent cheered,
the self-righteous stripped,
the formalist driven from the refuge of lies,
the ignorant enlightened,
and saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.
THE GREAT GOD. THE VALLEY OF VISION. Page 8
 

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